Members of the GMB trade union working for East Renfrewshire Council have accepted a pay offer.

The deal comes after waste workers downed tools last month, leading to rubbish piling up on local streets.

There was also a looming threat of non-teaching schools staff going on strike before union officials agreed to put the new pay offer to members.

Some 81% of respondents across the country voted in favour of the deal, GMB said.

The agreement will provide a flat £1,900 increase for staff earning less than £39,000 per year, backdated to April 1.

Keir Greenaway, GMB organiser in Scotland, said: “ We are now calling on councils to ensure this consolidated increase is put into the pay and conditions of members as soon as possible, because the cost-of-living crisis hasn’t gone away.”

The union leader also said the end of the dispute should be a “point of reflection, rather than relief” for politicians.

“Low-paid workers were kept waiting months for movement on a decent pay offer in the grip of soaring inflation and eye-watering energy bills,” he added.

“That’s unacceptable and can’t be repeated next year.

“GMB is clear that, after years of cuts to pay and services, this must be the start of the story in the fight for proper value of our key workers, because this period of intense economic pressure is going to last years and not months.

“Most importantly, we want to pay tribute to our members. Strike action is not easy but, through sacrifice and solidarity, they have secured a significantly improved pay rise to help confront the winter months.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am very pleased that GMB Scotland members have accepted the pay offer for their members who work in local government in key roles across our communities.”